http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/rss/dsp_rss.cfm/top/yes Listing of the fifteen newest Planet Diary articles. en-us Copyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:25:27 UT Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT Scientist's are watching Colombia's Galeras volcano very closely these days. The volcano's alert level was raised to code "orange," the second highest level, signaling a larger eruption may occur within days or weeks. South America, Volcano http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/volc1111609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/volc1111609.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT Hurricane Ida, only the third hurricane of this year's mild Atlantic hurricane season, roared across the Caribbean Sea early this week. North America, Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1111609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1111609.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT Gigantic jellyfish managed to flip and sink a 10-foot (three-meter) fishing boat off the coast of Japan. The boat's three-man crew was hauling in a net filled with dozens of Nomura's jellyfish when their boat capsized. The crew was rescued by another boat in the area. Asia, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1111609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1111609.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT A strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook central Indonesia this week. The undersea quake killed at least two people and injured dozens of others. Homes and other buildings were damaged all across the remote island of Sumbawa. Asia, Earthquake http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/eart1111609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/eart1111609.html Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT European Southern Observatory astronomers say they've found 32 new exoplanets, or planets beyond our solar system. None of the exoplanets appear to be within their solar system's habitable zone, the region where liquid water and life forms could possibly be found. Space, Astronomy http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/astr1110909.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/astr1110909.html Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report says invasive snakes are harming ecosystems in southern Florida. The report named five non-native, "high-risk" species: the boa constrictor, yellow anaconda, Burmese python, and both the northern and southern African python. North America, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1110909.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1110909.html Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT Typhoon Mirinae battered the already soggy Philippines. The nation has been hit with four typhoons in the last month alone. The powerful storm followed a track similar to that of Typhoon Ketsana, which triggered deadly floods on the main island of Luzon. Asia, Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1110909.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1110909.html Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT The United States government proposed making a 200,000 square mile (500,000 sq. km) area off Alaska's coast "critical habitat" for polar bears. The goal is to protect the bears from activities like oil and gas drilling or shipping that could push them closer to extinction. North America, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun2110909.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun2110909.html Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT The snow cap atop Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro keeps shrinking. Since 2000, over one-fourth of the snow has melted away. Since 1912, more than 85 percent of the mountain's snow has been lost. The big meltdown is happening faster now than at any other time over the past 11,000 years. Africa, Atmosphere http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/atmo1110909.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/atmo1110909.html Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT A huge scar bigger than the Pacific Ocean is visible near Jupiter's south pole. Astronomers say it's the result of a violent collision with either an asteroid or a comet. If signs of water are found at the crash site, it's more likely from an icy comet. Space, Astronomy http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/astr1110209.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/astr1110209.html Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT Chile's Chaiten volcano keeps spewing thick clouds of ash, while its two bulging lava domes continue to grow. The volcano's alert level is at code red, the highest level. South America, Volcano http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/volc1110209.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/volc1110209.html Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT his year's Atlantic hurricane season has been calmer than usual. That's great news for people in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, which took a beating from strong storms in 2008. Meteorologists say this year's El Niño gets much of the credit. Global, Atmosphere http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/atmo1110209.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/atmo1110209.html Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UT For the past two years, Bangladesh has been overrun by millions of rats. The hungry rodents have destroyed crops and raised the threat of disease. Now, the nation is fighting back. It's offering rewards for killing the rats, and the plan seems to be working. Asia, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1110209.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1110209.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 UT The soggy Philippines, still reeling from floods from typhoons Ketsana and Parma, was threatened by another strong storm this week. Typhoon Lupit swirled towards already-soaked northern Philippines packing winds of over 85 miles per hour (135 kilometers per hour). Asia, Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1102609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/hurr1102609.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 UT The beluga whale population in Alaska's Cook Inlet is dropping. A recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) survey counted only 321 whales in the inlet. That's a big drop from the 375 animals counted last year. North America, Fauna http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1102609.html http://www.phschool.com/science/planetdiary/archive09/faun1102609.html